Pellet target



S. W. WILCOX Nov. 11, 1969 PELLET TARGET Filed May 16, 1966 FIG. 3

INVENTOR STANLEY W. WILCOX /ZM/ MgW ATTORNEYS United States Patent U5. Cl. 273-1024 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF Tins} DISCLOSURE A pellet target with rebound control includes a target sheet and an energy absorbing impact sheet which are supported at the upper ends thereof'by a clip structure. A bracket includes legs which pass behind the impact sheet and support the clip' structure over a pellet "tray so that the freely hanging lower endofthe impact sheet passes through an open mouth of the pellet tray to permit pellets stopped by the impact sheet to collectin the tray.

This invention relates to a pellet target capable of stopping and collecting pellets.

In training in the proper handling of firearms, many kinds of activities are sponsored among young people. However, substantial limitations and precautions are necessary in the use of firearms in metropolitan areas. Consequently, air guns and the like are widely used by young people. Furthermore, adult interest is widespread in connection with higher velocity, more accurate air rifles.

This invention provides a relatively simple and economic, yet eflicient pellet target capable of stopping and collecting pellets fired by air rifles and the like. The invention may be generally described as a pellet target with rebound control that includes an energy absorbing impact sheet of a rubber. A target sheet is provided which is adapted to be supported across the face of the impact sheet by clip means which engage and support the upper edge of both the impact sheet and the target sheet. A bracket having legs which proximately pass behind the impact sheet serves to support the clip means over a pellet tray so that the bottom edge of an impact sheet supported by the clip means will pass through an upwardly oriented opening in the pellet tray to permit pellets stopped by the impact sheet to collect in the tray.

To be more particular and describe one embodiment of the invention, reference is made to the drawings, in which:

sheet 10 may be accommodated, as particularly illustrated in FIGURE 2. Strip 11 secured to impact sheet 10 willengage shoulder 14 for supporting sheet 10 within slot 13. Clip 12 is also provided with a second downwardly oriented slot 15 adapted to receive a target sheet 16, as illustrated in FIGURE 2. Conventional target sheet 16 which carries target indicia is folded along a line 17, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, and inserted into slot 15 so that its normally top edge 18 will bear against hook 31. Target sheet 16 will then be supported across the face of impact sheet 10.

- Clip 12 is supported by a bracket which, in the illustrated embodiment, takes the form of a relatively rigid wire 19 that includes a horizontal offset'portion 20 and vertical legs 21. Horizontal portion 20 passes through the top of slot 13 formed by hook 32 and supports clip FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the rear of one embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the clip means used in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Referring now to the drawings, an impenetrable, nonreflective barrier, such as rubber impact sheet 10 is provided. Impact sheet 10 should be made of a material having a low reflective index whose elastic limit is not exceded by the impact of a steel pellet traveling at veloc ities of 450-500 ft./sec., which is conventional for spring air rifles. Bntyl rubber, having a durometer test of from 40 to 45 and a thickness of from inch to A: inch has been found satisfactory, though other suitable materials may be used. Impact sheet 10 may have glued thereto or molded thereon, along the top and bottom edges, a strip of rubber 11.

Impact sheet 10 is adapted to be engaged and supported by resilient means, such as clip 12, which may be formed of rubber or the like. Clip 12 has a first downwardly oriented slot 13 within which the upper edge of impact 12-over an. arcuate pellet tray 22 which is provided with an upwardly oriented opening 23. Legs 21 of the frame have feet portions 24 which pass throughand are supported in horizontal registering apertures 25 in either end of tray 22. There are provided, in order to prevent tipping of the pellet tray 22 and structure supported thereby, wire braces 26 which pass through substantially horizontal registering apertures 27 provided in either end of tray 22. Braces 26 extend rearwardly to engage a surface on which tray 22 may be supported. Legs 21 are of such a length that the bottom of impact sheet 10 passes through opening 23 in tray 22 so that pellets passing through target sheet 16 and impinging sheet 10 will gravitate into tray 22. To retain pellets in tray 22, each end of tray 22 receives a resilient ring 28 of rubber or the like.

Should it be desired to suspend the illustrated embodiment from a vertical surface, braces 26 may be removed and the device suspended on a nail or the like which can be received through aperture 29 in clip 12. The pellet tray 22 and clip 12 are olfset from the impact sheet 10 to assure spacing from a vertical surface so the impact sheet will be free hanging. A rearwardly extending rib 30 is provided on clip 12 to assure spacing from a vertical surface if wire 19 is removed. and the clip 12 suspended on a nail or the like.

It will be understood after reading the above description of the illustrated embodiment that the various parts may assume different forms, and while rather specific terms have been used to describe the illustrated embodiment, they are not intended, nor should they be construed as a limitation of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A pellet target comprising:

(a) a pellet penetrable target sheet,

(b) an energy absorbing and non-reflective impact sheet adapted to be supported behind said target sheet to control the rebound of pellets impinging thereon,

(0) clip means for engaging an upper edge of each said impact sheet and target sheet to support said target sheet and said impact sheet in a freely hanging spaced apart relationship,

((1) a pellet tray having an upwardly oriented opening, and

(e) a bracket having legs which proximately pass behind said impact sheet to support said clip means over said opening in said pellet tray, means for restraining said tray in a position relative to said bracket so that the freely hanging bottom edge of said impact sheet will pass through said upwardly oriented opening to permit collection in said pellet tray of pellets impinging said target and impact sheets.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises:

an elongate relatively rigid member having a horizontal portion adopted to engage said'clip means and two vertical legs which depend from said horizontal portion, said legs serving to support said horizontal portion above said pellet tray.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein a substantial portion of said legs are offset from said horizontal portion for maintaining a space between an impact sheet supported by said clip means and said legs.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein:

the legs of said relatively rigid member engage said pellet tray, and the device includes rearwardly extending support means engaging said pellet tray for preventing tipping of said pellet tray and the structure supported thereby.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said clip means is provided with an aperture for permitting said device to be suspended from a vertical surface.

6. The pellet target of claim 1 wherein said clip means comprises:

an integral body having a first downwardly oriented slot with an abutment for engaging and supporting a shoulder of structure attached to the upper edge of said impact sheet, and

said integral body also having a second downwardly oriented slot spaced in front of said first slot for supporting a downwardly bent upper portion of said target sheet.

References Cited UNITED STATES- PATENTS 'Dale.

Wilcox 273-102.4

-. FOREIGN PATENTS Germany.

Switzerland.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner 

